In this episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron sits down with Dr. Cheryl McCormick, CEO of the Athens Area Humane Society, for an energetic and inspiring conversation on scaling high-impact, humane strategies for managing community cats. Drawing on her rich background in wildlife ecology and nonprofit leadership, Cheryl shares how her visit to Operation Catnip in Florida sparked a major shift in her organization’s approach—resulting in a game-changing, high-volume spay/neuter initiative dubbed “Snip & Tip.”

Listeners will hear how Cheryl and her team implemented this model in Georgia, overcoming scorching summer heat, logistical hurdles, and community challenges to sterilize 166 cats in just two days. She outlines the lean-staff, volunteer-driven model powered by professional trappers, strategic scheduling, and strong partnerships with funders. The episode is filled with practical strategies, insights into vet school partnerships, and tips for leveraging data and geography to reduce feline overpopulation—especially in underserved rural areas.

If you’re looking for ways to improve cat welfare, build collaborative rescue models, or create sustainable TNR programs, this episode is a masterclass in innovation and impact at scale.

• How a visit to Operation Catnip inspired a major organizational pivot
• Strategies for high-volume, low-cost sterilization events in rural areas
• Why Cheryl believes cat care is a powerful public health initiative
• Building sustainable vet pipelines through early student engagement
• The magic of “stone soup” funding models for humane programs
• Tips on starting community-based “cat action teams” and local satellite support

Resources & Links:

• Athens Area Humane Society
• Operation Catnip
• RedRover
• Shelter Animals Count
• Fix Georgia Pets
• BISSELL Pet Foundation – Fix the Future
• Georgia Pet Foundation